Anthony “Lionheart” Smith is a prominent American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
Here, we have Anthony Smith’s net worth, salary, fight purse earnings, professional MMA record, biography, and more.
Anthony Smith’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Anthony Jay Smith |
| Nickname | Lionheart |
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1988 |
| Age | 35 years old |
| Place of Birth | Corpus Christi, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) |
| Weight Class | Light Heavyweight |
| Reach | 76″ (193 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Team/Affiliation | factoryX Muay Thai |
| MMA Record | 37-19-0 (Win-Loss-Draw) |
| UFC Debut | July 15, 2013 |
| Notable Achievements | Former Victory FC Middleweight Champion, XKL Middleweight Champion, Cornhusker Fight Club Middleweight Champion |
| Martial Arts Ranks | Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt |
UFC Career Highlights
Smith’s journey in the UFC began in 2013, but it wasn’t until his return to the promotion in 2016 that he started to make significant waves.
After impressive midweight division wins, including victories over Hector Lombard and Andrew Sanchez, Smith decided to move up to light heavyweight in 2018.
He quickly made his mark with 3 consecutive victories over high-profile opponents.
Smith knocked out former champions Rashad Evans and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in back-to-back fights, followed by a submission win over Volkan Oezdemir.
In 2019, Smith faced Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 235. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Following the title fight, Smith continued to compete against top-tier opponents.
Wife
Anthony Smith’s lovely wife is Mikhala Renee Newman. Anthony Smith married Mikhala on September 20, 2019.
The wedding took place at Stonebridge Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. They had been in a long-term relationship before getting married.
The couple has three daughters, born in 2011, 2014, and 2017. Their names are Ariah, Avaya, and Adley.
Anthony Smith’s Net Worth Details
Anthony Smith’s net worth is estimated to be $2.5 million as of 2025. His largest purse was reportedly $500,000 for his fight against Jon Jones. According to Tapology, Smith’s career-disclosed earnings are USD 906,400.
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth |
| 2024 | $2.5 million |
| 2023 | $1 million |
| 2022 | $500k |
Career Earnings
| Event | Opponent | Purse |
| UFC 235 | Jon Jones | $500,000 (estimated) |
| UFC Fight Night 153 | Alexander Gustafsson | $380,000 (reported) |
| UFC 277 | Magomed Ankalaev | $216,000 (including $200,000 base + $16,000 sponsorship) |
| UFC on ABC 4 | Johnny Walker | $200,000 |
| UFC 301 | Vitor Petrino | $21,000 (Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay only) |
Endorsements
Anthony Smith has a lucrative endorsement deal with Vivint Smart Home, a technology company.
This partnership was announced in 2019, and Smith has been featured in several advertisements for the company since then.
MMA Records
| 57 matches | 38 wins | 19 losses |
| By knockout | 20 | 11 |
| By submission | 15 | 4 |
| By decision | 3 | 4 |
FAQs
1. What is Anthony Smith’s professional MMA record?
Anthony Smith retired with 60 professional fights: 38 wins (20 knockouts, 15 submissions, 3 decisions) and 22 losses (13 knockouts, 4 submissions, 5 decisions). He holds the record for the third-most fights in UFC light heavyweight history.
2. Why did Anthony Smith retire from MMA?
Smith retired after his April 2025 loss to Zhang Mingyang at UFC Kansas City, citing the natural career cycle of combat sports. He acknowledged younger fighters surpassing veterans, a pattern he once benefited from earlier in his career.
3. Did Anthony Smith ever compete for a UFC title?
Yes, Smith challenged Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in March 2019 but lost via unanimous decision. This remained his sole title shot during his UFC tenure.
4. What are Anthony Smith’s most significant career victories?
Key wins include knockouts of UFC Hall of Famers Maurício “Shogun” Rua and Rashad Evans, plus a submission victory over Volkan Oezdemir. His 2018 win over Alexander Gustafsson earned him the title shot.
5. What teams did Anthony Smith train with during his career?
Smith trained at Mick Doyle’s Kickboxing Academy early in his career and later joined Factory X in 2017 under coach Marc Montoya. He held a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
6. How many fights did Anthony Smith have in the UFC?
He competed in 25 UFC bouts from 2013 to 2025, finishing with a 13–12 record. This included a 5-fight win streak from 2017–2018 that propelled him into title contention.
7. What was Anthony Smith’s fighting style?
Smith was a versatile striker with 20 knockout wins but also demonstrated elite grappling skills, securing 15 submission victories. His aggressive pace and durability made him a fan favorite.
8. When did Anthony Smith make his UFC debut?
He debuted on June 8, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 10, losing to Antônio Braga Neto via first-round submission. After a brief release, he rejoined the UFC in 2016 for the remainder of his career.
9. What post-retirement plans does Anthony Smith have?
Smith transitioned into MMA analysis, working as a UFC commentator and hosting podcasts. He emphasized maintaining candid opinions to stay relevant in sports media post-fighting.
10. How did Anthony Smith earn the nickname “Lionheart”?
The nickname reflects his resilience, notably seen during a 2020 fight where he continued despite losing teeth. His relentless approach in high-stakes bouts cemented this reputation among fans.
